Geology 161: Physical Geology
What am I getting into? What is Physical Geology?
Physical geology is simply the study (logos) if the earth (geo)! In this class we will begin to understand the forces
behind such phenomena as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis. We will discover what the world is made
of, and touch rocks that were formed billions of years ago. We will learn how crystals are formed, how glaciers
carve solid rock, and how rivers cut canyons. By the time this course is over, you will have a new perspective every
time you go outdoors. Our world is a rich and mysterious place, and the science of physical geology is the place to
discover it.
Contact the Instructor
Instructor: Garry Hayes – Science Community Center 336
Phone and Voice Mail: 575-6294
Office hours: TTh 11:30-1:00, TTh 5:30--6:30
E-mail: hayesg@mjc.edu
Web Page: http://hayesg.faculty.mjc.edu/
The Geoblog: http://geotripper.blogspot.com/
What books do I need?
Required Texts:
Physical Geology: Exploring the Earth, 14th edition, Carlson, Plummer and Hammersly
Physical Geology Lab Manual, Garry Hayes
How will my grade be determined? (Tentative)
A: 800-720
Task
Points
Possible
Percentage of
Grade
Quizzes (best 10)
200
25%
Laboratory
300
37%
Midterm
100
13%
Final
200
25%
Total
800
100%
B: 720-640
C: 640 -560
D: 560 - 480
F: Less than 480
Quizzes will generally be given after each chapter and will consist of fill-in, true/false, and short answer essay
questions. Ten of the quizzes will count (There will be 11 or 12 quizzes). NOTE: Quizzes cannot be made up for
any reason, unless arrangements have been made in advance with the instructor. The midterms and the final
will consist of multiple choice questions. The final examination will be comprehensive.
Extra credit can be earned by completing at least 10 “Testing Your Knowledge” assignments at 5 points apiece (the
essay questions). Up to 50 points can be earned. You are strongly encouraged to do these assignments. The
chapter review assignments are due at the time of each quiz and will not be accepted if they are late.
When does it all happen? (This schedule is very tentative)
Tentative Schedule
Week
Date
Topics
Reading
1
Aug. 25-27
Introducing Geology; Origin of the Earth
Chap. 1 & 23
2
Sept. 1-3
Minerals
Chap. 2
3
Sept. 8-10
Igneous Rocks and Intrusive Activity
Chap. 3
4
Sept. 15-17
Volcanism
Chap. 4
5
Sept. 22-24
Volcanism
Chap. 4
6
Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Weathering and Sedimentary Rocks
Chap. 5 & 6
7
Oct.6-8
Metamorphic Rocks - MIDTERM #1
Chap. 7
8
Oct. 13-15
Geologic Structures and Earthquakes
Chap. 15-16
9
Oct. 20-22
The Interior of the Earth - Sea Floor
Chap. 17 & 18
10
Oct. 27-29
Plate Tectonics and Continents
Chaps. 19 & 20
11
Nov. 3-5
Mass Wasting
Chap. 9
12
Nov. 10-12
Running Water
Chap. 10
13
Nov. 17-19
Groundwater
Chap. 11
14
Nov. 24-26
Glaciers
Chap. 12
Work of Wind and Deserts, Shorelines
Chap. 13-14
15
16
Dec. 1-3
Final Examination
Tuesday, Dec.8
10-12:50 AM
“After sleeping through a hundred million centuries we have finally opened our eyes on a
sumptuous planet, sparkling with color, bountiful with life. Within decades we must close
our eyes again. Isn’t it a noble, an enlightened way of spending our brief time in the sun, to
work at understanding the universe and how we have come to wake up in it? This is how I
answer when I am asked—as I am surprisingly often—why I bother to get up in the
mornings.”
Richard Dawkins
Are you the kind of person who ignores handouts? Don’t do that: Read all of this!
Surviving Physical Geology
ALWAYS ATTEND CLASS - This shouldn't have to be said, but it is truer for science courses than for
many others: You will miss a tremendous amount of information if you aren't there. If you have to miss a class,
you are still responsible for all that occurs, including test and quiz announcements. Call me or get notes
from someone else in the class. Be aware that three (3) consecutive absences will be considered sufficient
grounds for dropping you from the course.
READ THE TEXT BEFORE THE LECTURE - Read the text after the lecture. And read it before
tests. Do the practice quizzes at the end of the chapters. Books are required for a reason. I’ve found some of the
best ones available; make use of them.
ALWAYS TAKE COMPLETE NOTES - and rewrite them after referring to your text. You will
remember only 10% of what you hear, 20% of what you write, but more than 40% of what you hear and rewrite.
Practice your drawing skills; a picture may truly be worth a thousand words.
SCORE CARD:
Quizzes:
Chapter Review:
Midterm and Final:
There is no substitute for effort.
Do not come to my office two weeks before
the end of the course asking how you can
pass the class. You will know long before
then that you are in trouble.
Every student is unique with
different strengths and weaknesses.
Some of you may find this to be a difficult
course, while others may find it to be
relatively easy. The most important point to
know is that you can pass this course! It
may, however, be necessary to change some
of your study habits and learning strategies,
especially if you are just beginning your
college education.
Academic Dishonesty: Your integrity is vital to your success in college and in life. Your classmates expect a
fair and just learning environment. I personally consider academic dishonesty to be one of the most egregious
offenses in the college environment. Consequently, anyone found cheating in this course will be dealt with as firmly
as college policies will allow. At the very minimum, your assignment will be recorded as a 0 and documentation of
the incident will be placed in a student discipline file with your name on it. Additional consequences may include
suspension or expulsion from the college.
Class got you unnerved? Need
ideas to survive this course?
GET THE HELP OF A
TUTOR OR LAB
ASSISTANT. Too few students
take advantage of the tutoring
program here at MJC. The tutors are
students who received 'A's when they
took the course, and students who
have received tutoring have had
marked increases in their test scores.
This service is free (see me for
details).
USE THE WEB PAGE RESOURCES
AND COMPUTER TUTORIALS
available in the geology lab. Explore the department
web page to see what resources are available there:
http://hayesg.faculty.mjc.edu/Geology161.html.
FORM A STUDY GROUP
with other members of the class.
Many times what one person does
not understand can be explained
by another. You can quiz and drill
each other
SET ASIDE STRICT STUDY HOURS.
Students often rebel at the concept of study time outside
the classroom (at least I did while in school!) This is
unfortunate, since most learning occurs during study time.
Make it a habit to give 2 hours of study for every hour of
class lecture. If you are working, it may be harder to
schedule study time, and yet all the more critical. Don’t
neglect lunch hours for study time (I got my degree while
selling shoes at a department store!).
USE 3X5 FLASH CARDS to help memorize terms. Much
difficulty in this course results from not learning the language of
science. Put the term on the front, and the definition on the back.
Carry a few in your pocket or purse, and glance at them when
you are standing in line, or during commercials.
MAKE USE OF THE
INSTRUCTOR'S OFFICE
HOURS: I am available and happy to
help you in any way I can. If you can't
make it during regular office hours, call
me and make an appointment. If you can’t
call me, then e-mail me
(hayesg@mjc.edu). If you can’t e-mail,
then fax me at 575-6093.
THE PARTING SHOT: If you successfully
read all of the above, you have earned the right to
some extra credit points! Get to a computer, and
visit the Geology 161 website (you can access it at
http://hayesg.faculty.mjc.edu/Geology161.html).
Note the location at which the picture was taken,
and e-mail me before the second class meeting to
receive 5 extra points (handwritten notes don’t
count).
Physical Geology Laboratory
"DOING" SCIENCE:
Contrary to the view of many people, most scientific research is not done by the lonely and slightly mad research
genius working in an isolated castle. It is a communal effort of many people working together, trying to solve a
common problem or puzzle.
In the lab, we will also work in groups. Your grade points will be evenly split between your individual efforts and
those of your group. Each group should have 3-4 people and will be selected during the first lab period. If anyone
is not doing their part in the group, they will not be given the credit for the group's work. Please see the instructor if
there are any problems. If you work better on your own, you may feel free to do so.
THE PRELAB ASSIGNMENT:
The first page or two of each lab assignment should be read and completed prior to lab each week. These
prelab assignments will be graded when your notebooks are collected mid-semester, and again at the end of the
semester. There are some occasional surprises. Don’t forget to check the pre-lab assignments every week!
THE LAB:
The lab is done in Room 326 of the Science Community Center on West Campus. Each week a new exercise will be
assigned. Unless otherwise noted, the lab exercises will be due at the beginning of the following week. Although
each individual will complete the assignment in their own lab manuals, most weeks the group will submit a single
copy of the assignment with everyone's signature. Twice during the semester, the lab notebooks will be collected
and graded for individual credit. Pop quizzes will be given a number of times during the semester (groups will
work together on these). The midterm and final will be individual efforts.
LAB EXIT QUIZZES
You can leave the lab as soon as you are done with the day’s assignment. For attendance purposes, and as a source
of learning outcome feedback, you are requested to take the lab exit quiz, a series of four questions or problems on
the subject of the day. You are to answer the questions by yourself, without the help of books or notes. To get
credit, you must get the four questions correct. You may make three attempts to pass, but you must go to the end of
the line each time. Take the completed lab to the instructor or laboratory assistant to receive your grade. The quizzes
are worth two points each, and cannot be made up at a later time.
EQUIPMENT AND TEXT:
Physical Geology Lab Manual by Garry Hayes (Required)
10 power handlens (available at Bookstore, Great Valley Museum or NASCO West)
Colored Pencils
Group Exercises
Assignment
Score
Exit Exam
Tentative Schedule
Week
Date
Topics
Reading
1
Aug. 25-27
Physical properties of minerals
Chap. 2
2
Sept. 1-3
Rock-forming minerals
Chap. 2
3
Sept. 8-10
Sedimentary, metamorphic and ore minerals
Chap. 2
4
Sept. 15-17
Plutonic and Volcanic rocks
Chap.3-4
5
Sept. 22-24
TBA
Chap. 6
6
Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Sedimentary Rocks
Chap. 7
7
Oct.6-8
Metamorphic Rocks
Appendix
8
Oct. 13-15
Topographic maps and Volcanoes
(Midterm exam)
Chap. 15
9
Oct. 20-22
Structural geology - faults and folds
Chap. 15
10
Oct. 27-29
Geologic maps I
Chap. 15
11
Nov. 3-5
Geologic maps II
Chap. 10
12
Nov. 10-12
Streams and rivers
Chap. 12
13
Nov. 17-19
14
Nov. 24-26
Del Puerto Canyon Field Trip
Dec. 1-3
Coastal Landforms and Laboratory Final
15
Glaciers
Chap. 12
Chap. 14
What will you know when you finish this course? What new skills will you have?
The following items are the Student Learning Outcomes (SLO’s) for Physical
Geology. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:
A. Analyze the elements of the scientific method and explain how these principles apply to the study
of the earth. All sciences share a common methodology of attaining knowledge that seeks to eliminate
bias and prejudice in research. You will know the difference between a hypothesis and a theory (and it
may very well not be what you think!).
B. Explain the geologic processes of tectonism, erosion, and mineral and rock formation. You live in
one of the most diverse landscapes in the world: there are few places where you can start driving in a
hot desert, go up and ski for a few hours, and then go to the beach to work on your tan. Almost every
important geologic process has an example taking place in this state, and you will understand how they
work. Not to knock pop culture, but you will know more about geology than literally any television or
newspaper reporter. You will be criticizing and critiquing the news regularly, especially when they
make mistakes about earthquakes and volcanoes.
C. Use the basic geologic principle of uniformitarianism and the examples of present-day geologic
processes to explain the formation and evolution of the features of the earth. Many people are
surprised that a geologist can look at a few rocks in a roadcut or mountainside and then immediately
tell a complete story of how those rocks came about. In this class, you will learn the set of principles
that geologists use to tell the story of the rocks. You will have the ability to interpret the story in the
rocks yourself, either in pictures and diagrams, or by visiting the localities yourself.
D. Assess and evaluate competing hypotheses regarding the concept of geologic time, the origin of
the earth and solar system, and plate tectonics. Geologists are still arguing about geological
processes. This is how science is meant to work, so we will be learning how controversies and
arguments are settled in geologic research.
E. Explain the necessary role of the geologist in the modern technological society in areas such as
urban planning, the search for new energy resources, and environmental research. Can we drill
offshore of California and bring back $2/gallon gas? Are politicians correct when they say global
warming is not real? Do we have enough water for the population of the state? Should we be covering
the agricultural soils of the Central Valley and building cities? Geologists have a lot to say about these
issues, and you will understand how scientists approach these problems.
F.
Test for the physical and chemical properties of minerals, and identify the most common
minerals and igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The nuts and bolts of geology is the
ability to identify the most common rocks and minerals. You will know fully 95% of all the minerals
and rocks anyone will ever ask you about!
G. Interpret geologic features and landforms from aerial
photographs and topographic maps. You will learn how to read
maps and identify geological features on aerial and satellite imagery.
You will never have to feel ignorant when you are outdoors with this
skill. And, it is more fun than it sounds (check out GoogleEarth
sometime…).
H. Distinguish three-dimensional rock structures and faults from
geologic maps. You will be exercising your mind in this class;
thinking in three dimensions is a rare and valuable skill that has many
applications outside geology as well. And everyone should know their
faults (literally).